Recently, more people are starting to use CBD for its various health benefits. Generally, CBD is good for relieving anxiety and stress, as well as, promoting wellbeing. A lot of studies show promising results in CBD’s capacity to lower blood pressure, as well. We’re still learning more about it every day. A problem that faces a lot of people who want to try or start taking it is the taste. The most popular form of CBD is as a tincture or oil extract. But what does CBD oil taste like exactly?

CBD is sometimes characterized as having a grassy or earthy taste. Although a lot of people enjoy the taste of CBD, others find it off-putting. Thankfully, it’s possible to mask the taste and still take advantage of the benefits of CBD.

How CBD is Made

CBD (cannabidiol), is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants. In the United States, CBD is often made from hemp that is a member of the cannabis family. The Farm Bill of 2018 legalized the cultivation of hemp in the United States. By law hemp products must contain no more than 0.3% of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive chemical found in marijuana.

Makers use a number of methods to extract CBD from the leaves, stalks, stems and flowering plants. The extraction process usually involves the use of acetone, carrier oils, steam, alcohol, or carbon dioxide. Depending on the material and process used, some impurities may remain in the CBD extract.

CBD Oil

CBD and other cannabinoids can then be mixed with carrier oils or made into a number of products, including CBD gummies, lotions, and much more. 

In the form of oil, CBD can be used in a variety of ways:

  • Sublingual CBD oils are dropped under the tongue and kept there before swallowing for around 90 seconds.
  • CBD capsules have the CBD oil sealed inside them which are then swallowed to be absorbed after digestion in the gut.
  • CBD oil can also be vaporized via a vape pen when loaded into cartridges.

Many people tend to use sublingual oils, since it is also the easiest and most reliable way to take advantage of the benefits of CBD. However, because you keep this oil directly in your mouth for a while, taste can become a problem.

What Does CBD Oil Taste Like?

Because CBD oil is made from a plant, it is often described as having a grassy or earthy flavor. Many people enjoy the flavor of CBD oil, but it can be bitter, especially with high concentration CBD oil. If you are taking it in capsule form, that might not be an issue for you, but you will notice the flavor if you take your CBD oil in tincture form.

Since CBD oil is made from a plant, it is sometimes characterized as having an earthy/grassy taste. Many people enjoy the taste of CBD oil, but in high concentrations it can be a bit bitter.

You can like CBD taste if you enjoy earthy flavors. It helps a few people to mask the flavor in order to improve the taste of CBD oil. You would have to select the correct carrier oil, apply to food or beverage, collect the flavored oil or start with a lower amount of CBD. There are certain taste variations depending on CBD production. A general rule is that the more processed the extract is, the less earthy it tastes.

Raw CBD-CBDA extracts 

It is not heated and processing is slightly less, so that it tastes more seedy, earthy or grassy. The liquid is also darker in color or can be slightly murky due to residual plant components.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD is processed a little more than a raw CBD but it still contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes leaving it with a clear grassy flavor.

Broad Spectrum CBD

In broad spectrum CBD oil we process plant matter and extract CBD with very little other material. Normally, these products are free of THC. These products tend to have a clearer appearance due to their purity. They also do not have the heavy grass or natural flavoring of the full-spectrum oils.

CBD Isolates

CBD is isolated from the plant and the product is formed by CBD alone. This is the most refined extract, because it has removed all other naturally occurring plant matter. This makes for a product that has no organic or plant taste. In fact, CBD isolates have almost no flavor at all unless we add a flavoring agent. Most CBD gummies and edibles are made from Broad spectrum or isolates so as not to taste like grass and dirt.

Liposomal CBD Oil

Liposomes are basically tiny lipid (fat) balloons that shield CBD and other active ingredients from stomach acids and enzymes when ingested. This increases bioavailability and can vary in taste depending on how well it is processed and what it contains. Liposomes alone do not have a remarkable taste and may therefore be affected by other oil contents. For example, some liposomal oils can include vitamin C extracts which might considerably affect the taste.

How to Mask CBD Oil’s Flavor

Now that you have an idea of what does CBD oil taste like, you might be wondering how you can avoid that taste. You can take some measures to choose a product that will suit you well if you are interested in trying CBD but don’t like the taste. The first step includes analyzing the carrier oil used in the CBD product.

When extracted, the CBD is mixed with a safe to consume carrier oil. It also takes on the taste and texture of this carrier oil, so choosing the carrier oil that you prefer will help enhance the taste significantly.

Effect of Carrier Oils

CBD carriers have four major types of oils: olive oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil and MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides) that are usually extracted from processed coconut oil. Both cocoa oil and MCT oil are tasteless and odorless. This means the natural taste of CBD is not influenced by these oils. You should avoid items made with coconut or MCT oil if you don’t want an earthy CBD taste.

Hemp seed oil has a nutty flavor that can block the CBD taste. Olive oil has an earthy taste, which helps the natural flavor of CBD to become more apparent.

Flavored CBD Oil

These flavors are formulated with ingredients that work well with tasteless carrier oils such as cocoa and MCT oil.  There are a number of flavored CBD oil products available in the market, like chocolate mint, and citrus flavored CBD.

Mixing with Something Else

You may opt to mix CBD oil with food or drink, if you really don’t like the flavor. Before placing the drops under your lip, you can insert a mint or gum in your mouth. Usually, this flavor will overtake CBD’s taste. You can also add something like yogurt or smoothie to your CBD. You will not taste the CBD though this will likely slow down the efficiency of the CBD.

Alternative Forms of CBD

If you are still struggling with the taste or the consistency of CBD oil, you can finally opt to different forms of CBD. There is no shortage of CBD products in the market. Nowadays, you can find CBD in body lotions, smoothies, and even CBD bath bombs. If you’re taking it for the systemic health benefits then capsules and gummies are great alternatives.

CBD Pills & Capsules

CBD pills and capsules are a great way to keep CBD in your daily routine as a supplement. It’s also more accurate to dose, because if they’re from a reliable source they should be standardized. That means every capsule or pill has a specific dosage of CBD as opposed to tinctures, due to difference in drop sizes. Capsules are swallowed immediately and have almost no taste to begin with.

CBD Gummies

Gummies come in different flavors and usually mask the earthy CBD taste completely. Just like the name suggests it simply tastes like candy. Gummies also come in different concentrations and are more defined and easier to dose than tinctures. There are also broad-spectrum CBD gummies and full-spectrum CBD gummies available.

CBD Vape Oil

One of the most common forms of CBD is as vape cartridges. CBD can be absorbed into the lungs through tiny capillaries, which means it doesn’t get broken down in the gut. This makes it very bioavailable. If you already vape then CBD vape juice is a good alternative. You can find the best CBD vape oil in the market in almost all flavors you like. That means you don’t have to worry about what does CBD oil taste like and focus on its benefits.